#Nassau, February 15, 2019 – Bahamas – Prime
Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis said that the new Boeing 737-790NG
acquired by Bahamasair will play an important role in the expansion of the
national flag carrier’s international service.
He
delivered the keynote address at the Commissioning Ceremony of Bahamasair’s
latest aircraft, held Thursday, February 14, 2019 at Bahamasair’s Hangar at
Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Also
present were Cabinet Ministers, and Bahamasair’s Board of Directors, Executive
Management, Industry Partners and other invited guests.
Underscoring
the importance of Bahamasair in linking the islands, the Prime Minister said,
“The arrival of this aircraft is a sign of our nation’s sustained growth and
economic expansion as we continue to see strong numbers from our tourism
sector.”
Additionally,
Bahamasair will continue to do as their vision statement suggests, which is “to
connect the islands of The Bahamas to the world,” the Prime Minister said.
The
$11 million investment of the new aircraft will bring Bahamasair’s fleet count
to nine: four jets and five turbo props.
The
Prime Minister also acknowledged that the vision behind Bahamasair was the
creation of a national flag carrier that would connect the islands of the
archipelago by providing safe and reliable air transportation that was also
affordable.
“What
was launched as a national aspiration evolved into an international
enterprise,” he said.
Stating
that Bahamasair is synonymous with safety and has become a global standard as
such, the Prime Minister added: “We boast a fully functional international
carrier which is flown, staffed, maintained and led by Bahamians. I
can spend time boasting about our pilots, who I believe are some of the best in
the world. Two of the airline’s pilots flew this acquisition home
from Asia.”
The
new aircraft, which seats 138 passengers represents a significant shift as
Bahamasair has now entered the long-range phase of route expansion and
development, the Prime Minister said. In 2017, the airline launched
its route into the Houston market, “which played a major role in my
government’s strategy to identify new opportunities for international
investments throughout The Bahamas, which will partner with
Bahamians. By entering the Houston market, we can fly from that city
and bring international passengers as far afield as China,” he added.
The
new jet also has a flying range of over five hours, fully
loaded. This places the entire United States, with the exception of
Alaska and Hawaii, within non-stop service of Nassau.
“If
we are to grow better, stronger and faster as a nation, we must develop the
capacity to go farther in terms of air linkages. Toward this end, this new
aircraft is another step in Bahamasair’s international expansion,” the Prime
Minister said.
Furthermore,
the NG Series of the 737 is designed to be a workhorse that keeps operating and
maintenance costs low. They are widely used by airlines throughout the
industry and they have also maintained a reputation for reliability. They also
feature industry-leading avionics, and technology that will improve the
airline’s operating efficiency and overall customer experience.
“This
increased range opens new doors of opportunity to showcase our far-flung
archipelago, through Bahamasair’s network within our Family of Islands, which
offers linkages between Nassau and all points within The Bahamas,” the Prime
Minister said.
He
concluded that a renewed focus on customer engagement and service is part of
the new thrust and defines the way forward for Bahamasair.
And, over time, “the airline will need to consider and imagine new management protocols, structures and linkages to better serve the demands of the country’s multiple island destination as well as the ever evolving tourism industry.”
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Prime Minister Hubert Minnis addresses the Commissioning Ceremony of Bahamasair’s latest aircraft, February 14, 2019 upon its landing at Bahamasair’s Hangar, LPIA.
(BIS Photos/Yontalay Bowe)